Where are the chick flicks in the summer? Why did summer become the place of big action/adventure films for boys and little else? When I went to see Star Trek, the previews were for the next Transformers, the next Terminator and GI Joe. They all pretty much looked like the same movie. Granted they tailor the previews to the movie, but in looking at the roster of summer movies, it is clear that the audience they are going for is teenage boys. What about the girls?

Sandra Bullock and Katherine Heigl each have a romantic comedy scheduled, and we have Nia Vardalos heading to Greece in My Life in Ruins. Then come August, Meryl Streep returns with Amy Adams, as Julia Child in Nora Ephron’s Julie and Julia. There are a couple of others, but it’s slim pickin’s for us chicks. Not that there is anything wrong with watching guys in tight costumes doing whatever, it’s just disappointing that Hollywood can’t figure out how to make more films that are smaller or quieter or smarter. Here’s the summer schedule so far:

June 5

* Land of the Lost

* My Life in Ruins

* The Hangover

June 12

* The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

* Imagine That

June 19

* Year One

* The Proposal The Sandra Bullock flick

* Whatever Works Woody Allen’s latest, guess that makes it a chick flick, or does it?

3 Comments

Mainstream Chick,
June 9, 2009:

I actually think, based on the list, that the summer has the potential to be relatively chick-flick-friendly. There appears to be a mix of genres to satisfy a broad range of movie-goers. “It will be interesting – and telling- to see how “The Proposal” and “My Sister’s Keeper”do at the box office. If the chicks like ’em, and support them at the box office, then the studios will hopefully take the note. “Julie and Julia” will probably be very good, but do only mediocre at the box office. Ultimately, the studios are banking on November to really reel in the chicks with the second movie in the Twilight series. “New Moon” is going to rake it in. Mainstream Chick predicts it will be better than “Twilight” (which wouldn’t be difficult to achieve) and will make a boatload o’ cash. See ya at the movies!

artychick,
June 9, 2009:

I guess my question is, “where are the good old fashioned romances?” Looks like a couple of “romantic comedies” is about all Hollywood can come up with. Summer seems nearly devoid of a grown up movie. Sure the kids are out of school, but adults are still looking for something to go see. What is that all about?

Adventurous Chick,
June 16, 2009:

I am really looking forward to “Julie and Julia” and hoping that it is the surprise hit of the summer. I think, despite Hollywood conventional wisdom, women do go to the movies and smart women tell other women when they’ve seen something that’s worth carving out a chunk of time from their busy lives to go see. This summer I’m hoping it’s “Julie and Julia” that is that film. It’s a lot to put on one little movie, but Meryl can handle it. And for me Public Enemies looks like my kind of chick flick — action packed and Johnny Depp. Now that’s what I’m talking about!